Child Care Eligibility and Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to families that might not otherwise be able to afford the costs of child care. Below are some suggested options for families who need assistance with the costs of child care.
DES Child Care Assistance
To apply for Child Care Assistance you must complete an application for assistance AND:
• Meet the eligibility requirements (see below)
• Provide verification as requested by the Child Care Specialist
• Provide information to Child Care Specialist to arrange and maintain Child Care Assistance
• Inform your Child Care Specialist of your DES contracted provider choice
• Meet the eligibility requirements (see below)
• Provide verification as requested by the Child Care Specialist
• Provide information to Child Care Specialist to arrange and maintain Child Care Assistance
• Inform your Child Care Specialist of your DES contracted provider choice
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
You may be eligible to receive Child Care assistance if you need child care for one of the following reasons:
• Employment
• Participation in the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Program
• Allowable education and training activities related to employment when you work at least an average of 20 hours
per week
• High school, GED or remedial education classes for teen parents.
• Inability or unavailability to care for your children due to:
• a physical, mental or emotional condition
• participation in a drug treatment or rehabilitation program
• a court-ordered community service program
• Residency in a homeless or domestic violence shelter
• As determined by The Department of Child Safety (DCS).
DES child care eligibility requirements vary with each program. Some programs have income eligibility requirements based on family size and gross income and may require the family to pay a portion of the child care costs.
• Employment
• Participation in the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Program
• Allowable education and training activities related to employment when you work at least an average of 20 hours
per week
• High school, GED or remedial education classes for teen parents.
• Inability or unavailability to care for your children due to:
• a physical, mental or emotional condition
• participation in a drug treatment or rehabilitation program
• a court-ordered community service program
• Residency in a homeless or domestic violence shelter
• As determined by The Department of Child Safety (DCS).
DES child care eligibility requirements vary with each program. Some programs have income eligibility requirements based on family size and gross income and may require the family to pay a portion of the child care costs.
Child Care Assistance Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Chart and Fee Schedule
DES Child Care Assistance is available to eligible families with children 12 years of age or younger. You may be eligible if your family income is at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Your gross monthly income, before any deductions are subtracted, is used to calculate your eligibility. Both earned income (e.g. wages) and unearned income (e.g. child support) are counted.
To apply for DES child care assistance, click below or you may also contact your local DES Child Care office to schedule an appointment and fill out an application. If you have questions about assistance or need help, please call 1.602.542.4248.
APPLY FOR DES CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
To apply for DES child care assistance, click below or you may also contact your local DES Child Care office to schedule an appointment and fill out an application. If you have questions about assistance or need help, please call 1.602.542.4248.
APPLY FOR DES CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
First Things First
Quality First Child Care Scholarship Program
The Quality First Child Care Scholarship Program is a signature program of First Things First which supports high quality early learning experiences for children birth to five to ensure they are healthy and ready to succeed in school. Scholarships support families who are working, attending school or choosing to place their child in a quality early childhood education setting. Scholarships are offered to children birth through five years of age. To find a participating child care facility in your area or for more information, please click here.
State Or Federal Tax Credits
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit – This tax credit helps families pay for child care for children under the age of 13 if the parents are working, or are looking for work. Parents who are full-time students can also claim the credit. Qualifying care includes child care centers, family child care homes, and care provided by paid friends or relatives, as long as the relative is not a dependent of the taxpayer. The size of the credit depends on the number of children in care, your family income, and the amount you paid for child care during the tax year. There are limits on the credit given for one child and two or more children.
Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC)
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – A refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income families, particularly those with children, the EITC is based on family income and the number of children in the family. Both single and two-parent families are entitled to the credit, as long as one parent is employed.
Federal child Tax Credit
Federal Child Tax Credit–If you paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent last year, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income tax return.
For more information on the Child and Dependent Care Credit, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. You may download these free publications from http://www.irs.gov or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676)
For more information on the Child and Dependent Care Credit, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. You may download these free publications from http://www.irs.gov or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676)
Flexible Spending Accounts(FSA)
The federal government offers a Flexible Spending Account(needs to be a link) program if your employer participates in this program and you have health insurance. A dependent care FSA helps reimburse you for the work-related cost of care for a qualifying dependent. A qualifying dependent is:
A dependent care FSA is a great way to pay for and reduce your child care expenses and lower your taxable income. Here's how it works:
- A tax dependent of yours who is under age 13 , or
- Any other tax dependent of yours, such as an elderly parent, who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and has the same principle residence as you
- A spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and has the same principle residence as you
A dependent care FSA is a great way to pay for and reduce your child care expenses and lower your taxable income. Here's how it works:
- You direct part of your before-tax pay into a special account to help pay work-related dependent care costs
- You can use your account throughout the year to help pay for eligible expenses
- Your expense must be for the purpose of allowing you and, if married, your spouse to be employed
Employer/Corporate Supported Discounts
Some child care programs may have an agreement with your employer to offer a discount on your child care tuition. Please ask your employer if they have any programs to support your child care needs. In addition, please be sure to verify with the child care program if they accept or offer any sort of employer supported discounts.
Private Scholarships
Some child care programs may receive additional funding from various funding sources to help off-set the cost of child care to qualifying families. Check with your child care program to see if they have any scholarships available.
Sliding Fee Scales and Multi-Child Discount
Some child care programs offer adjustable rates dependent upon the income of the family and/or the number of children the family has enrolled at the child care facility or home. Check with the child care facility or home to see what is available.
